Page 121 of Defend Her Heart

“Sorry, what did you say? I was too distracted by you wearing my name and number on your back.”

I walk back to join her at the island and slide her food over to her.

“You mean wearingourname on my back?”

The jug of juice I was holding falls to the counter. Luckily, it was closed, so I don’t have to worry about a mess.

“Avery.”

My voice is a warning. Because if she’s fucking with me right now, I might lose it. But also, if she isn’t fucking with me right now, I’m still going to lose it.

She chuckles and grabs the orange juice. “I filled out the paperwork yesterday while you were practicing. I was hoping to head to the social security office to get the ball rolling.”

All thoughts of breakfast abandoned, I reach over and grab her stool, sliding her closer to me until she’s close enough that I can feel her breath on my chin.

“I don’t care if it makes me a caveman, but the thought of you having my name makes me want to take you right here on the counter, Aves.”

I lean down and nip at her ear, causing her to giggle. She pushes my chest away slightly but keeps her hand over my heart.

“I’m not opposed to that but before we ruin breakfast and before I make it official, I need to know something.”

Reaching out, I slide my hand through her hair before gripping the back of her neck. “You can ask me anything.”

Her hand moves from my chest and she grabs the upper part of the jersey sleeve. Turning so the number eighty-nine is in full view, I already know what she’s going to ask.

“Why did you change your number to eighty-nine in college? I thought five was your lucky number? I always wondered, and then when the girls gave me this jersey as a wedding gift, I remembered I never asked. So, now I’m asking.”

A low chuckle escapes my lips and I pull her face closer to me with the hand that’s still on her neck. I shake my head slightly. “You haven’t figured it out?”

Avery looks shocked for a moment before she scrunches her forehead, a clear sign she’s trying to solve the mystery. After a minute, she shrugs. “It’s not the year either of us were born. I have no freaking idea. Just tell me already!”

She swats my arm, and I drop my hand from her neck. But I can’t stand not touching her, so I rest both hands on her thighs.

“August ninth. It was the first day I laid eyes on you.”

Avery inhales a breath, and I watch as tears fill her eyes. A choked sob escapes her and her hand flies up to cover her mouth. “But…you broke up with me when you went to college. Why would you want that to be your number?”

I laugh and take her face in my hands, kissing her forehead. “Aves, I’ve been in love with you since the moment I saw you. Ask Luke. I told him I was going to marry you after inviting you for pizza that day. Letting you go was the biggest mistake of my life. I thought I was holding you back and I couldn’t live with myself if I was the reason you didn’t get what you always dreamed of.”

Avery laughs and tears fall down her cheeks. “God, you were so stupid.”

I huff a laugh and swipe my thumb across her cheek to wipe a stray tear away. “I was. But I don’t think I’d change any of it, even knowing all the hell we both went through. It may have been ugly and messy, but all of it led us right here, together. You’re mine, Aves. You always have been.”

She launches herself off her stool into my lap and captures my mouth with hers. My hands wrap around her before slowly moving lower. Lifting up the jersey, I squeeze her ass.

“You’re not wearing any panties. Are you trying to torture me, wife?”

Avery reaches behind her and grabs one of my hands, bringing it around to the front. She guides it between her legs and pushes it down so my fingers slide through her wetness, causing her to moan loudly.

“Fuck, Aves. You’re already ready for me, aren’t you?’

I slide two fingers into her and circle my thumb over her clit.

“I’ve been ready for you since I woke up this morning.”

Not wanting to fuck her on the stool, I pick her up. Avery wraps her legs around me, and I carry her to the living room. Instead of laying her down on the couch, I set her down next to the arm of it.

As soon as my hands are free, I push my shorts and boxers down then lift my shirt over my head. Avery’s eyes travel down my body, landing on my cock that’s aching for her. She reaches for the bottom of the jersey and begins lifting it up. My hand flies out to stop her.